'Culture Club' Focuses On Ensuring Futures For Young Black Boys

NEWPORT NEWS — At the age of 12, Shayne Graham knows it's best not to hang out in the streets.

"I don't want to get shot," he said.

Graham was one of 12 boys who attended the Thursday meeting of the newly formed African-American Boys Culture Club.

The club - formed this month through the Moton Community House - is starting at a time when the southeast community has seen five homicides this year. All five were black men.

"Every day we don't do something to try to save these kids is a day that we may lose one of these kids," said Kenneth Hundley, a club volunteer.

The club's founder, David Harrell, plans to take a mentoring approach by inviting professionals from the community to speak to the boys.

"The main objective is to show them a better side of life than what they've been presented with," Harrell said. "This is the responsibility of the African-American community because these are our children."

There is no set age requirement, Harrell said. The boys at Thursday's meeting were mostly between ages 10-14.

During the meeting, Hundley asked the boys what they'd learned this week.

"I learned you can get killed anywhere, no matter where you may be," one boy answered.

Then the street term "snitching" came up.

"That's what we call telling the truth," Hundley said, adding that giving information to the police is not a negative thing. "If you see something happen, it's not being a snitch to tell." The boys' responses were mixed, some agreed, while others didn't seem completely sold on the idea.

Hundley moved on to the next topic: the future. "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

The boys' hands shot up.

Most wanted to be professional athletes. One wanted to be a lawyer.

"There is nothing wrong with being an athlete, but keep in mind you may be injured," Hundley said. "Always have a Plan B."

Harrell, who owns a masonry business, says the club will also be a place where the boys will learn how to be skilled laborers from others in the community.

A handful of girls also showed up for Thursday's meeting.

"We have to be there for the little boys so these girls will have someone to marry," Harrell said.

The club's next meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday at the Moton.

"In the black community, you always hear about killing, robbing, or selling drugs," Hundley said. "There are a lot of good things going on that are never written about."